Is looking over your shoulder the only method for checking blind spots?

Looking over your shoulder is indeed a critical component of checking blind spots, but it is not the only method available to drivers. When approaching a lane change or making a maneuver that requires awareness of surrounding traffic, it is essential to use a combination of techniques for comprehensive awareness. The most effective way to check blind spots combines looking over your shoulder with the use of mirrors — specifically side mirrors and rearview mirrors.

Using mirrors allows a driver to gather information about the vehicles in adjacent lanes, but these mirrors do have limitations, particularly with the small areas they cannot cover. This is where looking over the shoulder plays a crucial role; it provides a direct line of sight to areas that may be obscured. Therefore, while looking over your shoulder is the most effective method, it is essential to understand that it should be used alongside mirror checks to ensure safe driving decisions.

Other options suggest limitations or the sufficiency of looking over the shoulder alone, which does not encompass the overall best practice for ensuring safety on the road.